Abstract

Morocco has become known for being an example of a well‐performing utility‐led rural electrification program, but so far little
independent research has scrutinized this extraordinary case. Based on a critical review of the available literature, this
study attempts to draw a picture of the evolution of rural electrification in Morocco, the policies and programs that have
been implemented, and their institutional, technical, and financial dimensions. The review reveals that information available
about the success of the programme has almost entirely been provided by the utility ONE, which has strategic and commercial
interests in showing its achievements in a favorable light. With this in mind, three main principles are identified as having
contributed to the rapid evolution of levels of electrification: (1) a clear vision and a continuing political commitment
to follow the plan; (2) an institutional framework that brings into action the strength of the utility and of both national
and international actors; and (3) a finance model that includes all stakeholders and international financial institutions.
However, three factors may have been equally important in achieving these results: (1) a level of rural electrification in
Morocco that from the outset was far below that in comparable neighboring countries; (2) a high GDP compared to sub‐Saharan
African (SSA) countries; and (3) a high level of urban electrification that allowed cross‐subsidization from urban consumers.
So while the Moroccan case is inspiring for SSA countries, we need to be prudent before we relate the rapid increase in electrification
to the implementation model alone. WIREs Energy Environ 2016, 5:155–168. doi: 10.1002/wene.165

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Electrifying Rural Moroccan Households. Geneve: WBCSD; 2005. Available at: http://www.pickar.caltech.edu/me105/materials/case‐studies/temasol_full_case_final_web.pdf. (Accessed September 14, 2014).

ECOWAS. White paper for a regional policy geared towards increased access to energy services for rural and peri‐urban population in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, Economic Community of West African States, 2006. Available at: http://www.ptfm.net/spip.php?article74%26var_recherche=evaluation%20finale. (Accessed September 14, 2014).